My husband has three foodie loves in life. Beer. Cheese. Coffee. We have a deal. When we check out a gluten free restaurant or bakery, he gets to visit the nearest coffee shop. However, I always lament that there are no safe gluten free “goodies” around. After reaching out to my baker friends, I realize Michigan baristas offer lots of options!

**Note– Please know that those baking under Cottage Law, from their home, are prohibited from selling their baked goods at a commercial business. Why? Because their kitchen has not been inspected by the health department. Only baked goods made in a commercial kitchen can be sold in additional locations. 

Rise Authentic Baking Products 

• Pour-d (Rockford)
• The Bradbury Cafe (Grand Rapids)
• Outside Coffee (Grand Rapids)
• Outside Coffee (Douglas)
• Squibb Coffee & Wine Bar (Grand Rapids)
• Last Mile Cafe (Grand Rapids)
• Mason Jar Cafe (Benton Harbor)
• Uptown Coffeehouse (Howell)
• Snake Oil Roasters (South Haven)

Please see comments below for additional location suggestions.

Wish that a coffee shop near you carried gluten free products? Show them my list of dedicated gluten free bakers, and help them connect! Know a coffee house serving 100% gluten free baked goods? Leave a comment below!

**Disclaimer – Offerings subject to change. While I try to keep this list updated, coffee shops sometimes stop carrying products.

Originally Published May 2019

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Middlecoast Brewing – A Great Place for Friends and Family

My husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in Traverse City in 2023. This gave us the opportunity to meet up with one of my husband’s childhood friends for lunch. Middlecoast has a great, welcoming atmosphere.

Don’t let the fact that it’s a brewery discourage you from bringing kids during the day. They offer a kids menu, which includes gluten free flatbread/ pizza. They also have pinball machines and a foosball table for entertainment.

1. Why did you decide to start offering gluten free options at Middle Coast Brewing?

The gluten free initiative was born out of a happy coincidence. Our vendor brought in pizza crust samples. The one that was overwhelmingly preferred happened to be the only one that was celiac safe.

In that same season, one of our owners, Joel, had a loved one who was recently diagnosed with Celiac. That opened his eyes to the lack of tasty, affordable, Celiac safe choices that were available at restaurants.

I started working at Middle Coast Brewing shortly after they started offering gluten free flatbreads. I have celiac myself, so the owners and I worked closely together to expand what we could offer to the gluten free community in the safest manner possible.

2. What gluten free options are on your menu?

We clearly mark gluten free options on our menu. Currently, all of our flatbreads and the whipped feta app are gluten free as is.

However, because we also have a dedicated gluten free fryer, in combination with a great gluten free seasoned flour recipe, this allows us to offer gluten free variations of our fries, sweet potato fries (including the Zooted sweet fries), chicken wings, chicken tenders, and fried pickles. All of our sauces are gluten free as well. The Whiskey Ginger sauce is a fan favorite.

3. What are your procedures for making gluten free orders?

Both the front of house and back of house staff receive training on preparing gluten free orders. Staff know to ask if a gluten free free order is due to a Celiac Disease or a preference.

Food prep includes washing hands and changing gloves. We have a seperate gluten free prep space, including a dedicated gluten free fryer. In addition, we have dedicated cooking utensils. Gluten Free orders are taken to guests separately, to avoid mistakes. This is usually done by a kitchen manager.

4.  What kind of oil do you use in your fryer?  

At Middle Coast Brewing we use a blended oil that consists of canola, corn and soybean oil.

5. Do you offer alternatives for other dietary restrictions? For instance, do you offer dairy free cheese for flatbreads?

We do not offer dairy alternatives at this time. I do want to mention that our cauliflower crusts for the flatbreads, do contain mozzarella, so they are not dairy free even if you chose to have a flatbread without cheese. We do have a few options that do not contain dairy, such as the wings, fries, and gluten free fried pickles.

In addition, we do offer vegetarian options such as the impossible burger and a curried sweet potato patty, however these options are prepared on the flat top which currently is not celiac safe.

We are able to check ingredients on any item to check for other allergens when asked, and take dietary restrictions very seriously. We strive to accommodate our customers whenever/however possible.

6. Do you offer any gluten free desserts? If so, what are they? 

Yes! Every dessert option we offer at Middle Coast Brewing is always gluten free. We rotate dessert specials but more recently we’ve been offering different flavors of deep fried ice cream. Our most recent flavor, the deep fried double rainbow- superman ice cream with a blended fruity pebble and gluten free golden Oreo crust was a huge hit!

7. Do you offer any gluten free beers? Do you have hard cider? 

Our owners/head brewers are currently researching ingredients and recipes for the best completely gluten free beer options. We do have a variety of seltzers and a cider on tap that are all gluten free.

While our spirits are unable to be labeled gluten-free by law because they are distilled with grain, gluten is too big of a molecule to pass through the still when being made into spirits. For our May Tasting Menu (which is entirely gluten free in honor of Celiac Disease Awareness Month)- all of the cocktails offered will be made with spirits (tequila and rum) distilled without gluten.

8. Where’s the best place to park at Middle Coast Brewing?

There is street side parking out front along with a parking garage next door.

9. I know you have outdoor seating in the summer. Are dogs allowed? What’s Yappy Hour? 

Yappy Hour was a collaboration between Middle Coast Brewing and MI Pets Treat Truck, where the hour was both Yappy and Happy. Humans could enjoy discounts on their beverages, while also being able to purchase a treat for their canine companion at the Treat Truck.

We are looking forward to continuing Yappy Hour this summer. Yappy Hour will be held on Thursdays from 4 pm – 6 pm.

10. What else would you like my readers to know about your business? Do you offer Trivia Nights? Other events/ live music that people should know about?

We host a free Trivia night on Wednesday nights from 7 PM to 9 PM. On Thursday’s, we offer happy hour pricing all day long. We have live local musicians play on Friday nights from 6 PM to 9 PM, with live bands performing on stage the last Saturday of every month.

We offer event packages for private and semi-private events that include gluten free menu options for large parties.

Additionally, for the month of May, we will be offering many gluten free specials in recognition of Celiac Disease Awareness Month.

Middle Coast Brewing Location, Hours and Contact Information

329 E State St Unit # 2,

Traverse City, MI 49684

231-943-1606

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Email

Hours –

Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

Monday – Thursday 12 pm – 10 pm

Friday & Saturday 11 am – 11pm

More Traverse City Gluten Free Dining Options

Looking for more places to eat in Traverse City? I wrote a Traverse City gluten free dining guide that includes all my favorite spots. Make sure to stop at Third Coast Bakery for gluten free baked goods. Everything there is gluten and dairy free!

Middlecoast Brewing is one of many Michigan eateries I’ve visited. You can find a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices, before dining.

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Recently my husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to share the afternoon with the owners of De Food Truck, Toby and Joelle. While the food was absolutely amazing, the conversations with two of them was just as memorable. We sat and talked for hours!

Where is De Food Truck Located?

You can find De Food Truck is parked at the Blarney and Castle Gas Station in Mesick, Michigan. I included De Food Truck on my Traverse City Gluten Free Dining Guide.

What’s On the Menu?

Everything on De Food Truck menu is gluten free. They offer a variety of fried fish and seafood, plus chicken nuggets. In addition, they offer curry bowls. He fries everything in canola oil.

What Did You Order From De Food Truck?

My husband and I tried a variety of the fried fish and seafood. We both had perch and their amazing French Fries. These are no pre-bought frozen fries. Toby makes his fries from scratch, and fries them twice. Toby stated that they go thru as many as 100 lbs of potatoes on any given day!

My husband and I also tried their squid steak bites. I’ve never had squid before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was great! Nice and firm, without tasting overly fishy. In addition, I had the fried shrimp, which was delicious.

What Kind of Breading is Used?

Since everything on this food truck is gluten free, you’ll find no wheat flour here. Toby uses a blend of rice flour and corn starch, and his own blend of spices. Everything we tried was perfectly cooked, and not soggy.

(Visit my article on gluten free fried fish to make your own fish fry at home.)

Does De Food Truck Have Vegetarian Options?

Yes! You can order their falafel, with or without fries. (Although, I highly recommend the fries!) Toby cooks the falafel in a dedicated fryer, away from the seafood and chicken. In fact, the fries and falafel are both vegan.

In addition, Toby makes this amazing Avo-Tar, which is a version of tartar sauce made with avocado. I could have put it on everything! Toby also said that he plans to switch to vegan mayo, so he can accommodate more people with dietary restrictions.

(Want to make your own falafel? Try my gluten free falafel recipe!)

Why a Gluten Free Food Truck?

Toby has been in the food truck business, since 2006. He personally needs to follow a gluten free diet. After having operated a variety of trucks, he decided to finally open one that benefited him and others who have to eat gluten free. You can learn more about Toby Dunne in this Record Patriot article from July 2023.

Have any other questions about De Food Truck? Drop them in the comments and I’ll try to get them answered for you!

De Food Truck Location & Hours

De Food Truck is parked at the Mesick Roundabout, at Blarney Castle & Propane.

4554 M-37, Mesick, MI 49668

Hours- CLOSED Tuesday & Wednesday

Open Monday 11 am -8 pm / Thursday 11 am – 8 pm/ Friday & Saturday 11 am – 9 pm / Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

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**Note- We were not charged for my meal, despite me offering to pay. We visited Toby and his wife on our 20th wedding anniversary, and they wanted to help us celebrate.

De Food Truck is one of many Michigan eateries I’ve visited. You can find a list of them on my  Michigan gluten free dining post. Please remember to always ask any restaurant about their food preparation practices, before dining.

The post De Food Truck – 100% Gluten Free Food Truck in Northern Michigan appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Traverse City Dining and Shopping

Third Coast Bakery

Third Coast Bakery is 100% dedicated gluten free and dairy free bakery needs to be on your itinerary. So many delicious options, and they offer coffee and tea as well. Added bonus for those who don’t live in the area? They ship nationwide!

Clean Crumbles

Clean Crumbles operates a dedicated gluten free and dairy free bakery. You’ll find them at 436 W Front St, Traverse City, MI, United States, 49684.

Taproot Cider

I’ve only eaten at Taproot Cider twice, but it left a lasting impression. I’m not the only one, because many people will tell you it’s their “go to” for gluten free dining. They believe in making their meals with local ingredients, so the menu changes.

MiddleCoast Brewing Company

MiddleCoast Brewing Company offers gluten free flatbread pizzas, cooked in a dedicated gluten free oven. They offer three flavors of flatbread – Margherita (mozzarella, tomato, basil); Supremo (mozzarella, pepperoni, mushroom, onion & green pepper); and Mean Green (mozzarella, pesto, chicken, spinach and artichoke hearts.) 

They also have dedicated gluten free fryers, and desserts. They recently added breakfast options.

Milk and Honey Cafe and Ice Creamery

This sweet shop makes their own ice cream from scratch, and has some unique flavors. The owner states “all our ice cream, vegan cream, sorbet, gelato and froyo is gluten free.” Because of this, they are one of the many Michigan Ice Cream parlors with gluten free options. 

Oryana Commnity Co-op

Am I the only one who likes to visit grocery stores while on vacation? Oryana Community Co-op has an amazing gluten free selection. They have two locations. The original (and my favorite) location is located downtown. Their newer location, located south of the downtown area, was previously a Lucky’s grocry store. (And they just started stocking Old World Gluten Free Pierogi!)

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Fun fact- The Village used to be a mental health hospital. My mother-in-law even did a nursing rotation here. While there are restaurants on premises, I have not eaten at any of them. There is a coffee shop inside, Cuppa Joe, that sells Third Coast Bakery products. I enjoy the various shops in the building. In the summer, stop by the Farmer’s Market on Monday mornings from 2pm- 6pm.  (Not to be confused with the Saturday Sarah Hardy Farmer’s Market.)

Speaking of shopping, don’t skip the downtown Traverse City area along Front St. Lots of fun shops there, as well!

De Food Truck USA

This new food truck is 100% gluten free! They offer fried chicken, fish and fries. For those who are vegetarian, this truck also offers falafel, which are cooked in a separate fryer. Read my review. They recently moved their food truck to Mesick.

M-22 Dining and Shopping

Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate (Empire)

Grocer’s Daughter makes the most amazing glutetn free fudgesicles. I recommend buying one and enjoying it along the waterfront at Empire Beach, a short 3 min drive from the store.

Good Harbor Grill (Glen Arbor)

I discovered this restaurant on the Find Me Gluten Free app. I ordered a gluten free sandwich, and they stated that it’s prepared in a dedicated gluten free prep space. The sandwich was so big I had to save half for another day!

Cherry Republic (Glen Arbor)

I recommend stopping at Cherry Republic solely for the cherry wine that they make. They have a tasting room, where you can enjoy a flight. So fun!

The Front Porch (Suttons Bay)

I could have spent all day (and all my money) in this adorable store in Suttons Bay. The Front Porch has Michigan themed items, cookware, and so much more.

Other Traverse City Area Sights

There is a lot to see and do in the greater Traverse City area. I highly recommend traveling the M-22 loop, which is especially gorgeous in the fall. Inspiration Point in Arcadia offers a simply breathtaking view of the water. (Once you climb the stairs.) Of course, The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes are a great place to visit as well. A drive up Mission Peninsula offers a view of the many vineyards and wineries, and leads you to Mission Point Lighhouse.

For more ideas, check out the Traverse City website. Also, follow my friend The Peninsula Explorer on Instagram.

So those are my favorite things about Traverse City. What are some of your favorites? Please share them in the comments below!

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**This is an interview with the owner. Please scroll to bottom of page for bakery address, phone number, website, email, and social media links.**

Love can make us do amazing things. Compassion can cause us to go to the extra mile. When it comes to food, it can motivate a baker to play with recipes and experiment with crazy ingredients. It might even push them to burn out a few food processors in the pursuit of excellence. It encourages them to persevere even after many failed attempts. Enter Third Coast Bakery

That’s why Heather Burson of Third Coast Bakery started a gluten-free baking business. She saw the needs of her family, friends. and community. Her labor of love has paid off tremendously. Her customers are happy. The local hospital is eager to carry her baked goods. People are ordering her products from out of state. Because love never fails.

Read more about Burson’s baking journey in her own words.

1. What inspired you to become a baker? Why the focus on gluten-free?

Throughout my life, my family and I have been surrounded by health issues and food battles. At the center of it all seemed to be common denominators – white flour, white sugar, hydrogenated fats, chemicals, GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, dyes, artificial sweeteners and more. Watching so many loved ones struggle, I launched a personal mission to create healthy, delicious options that went against the typical American diet.

Plus, those with Celiac Disease and those with wheat/gluten-sensitivities are an important part of the population that have been terribly overlooked and under-served by the commercial food industry. I saw a gaping need and decided to step up and fill it, not because it’s a fad, but because it’s a real health need.  Now, it’s my daily goal to keep raising the bar for allergen-safe baking. At Third Coast Bakery, we create so that others who are usually left out can FINALLY celebrate.

2. Are there other highlights of your products?  Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

Third Coast Bakery is a dedicated, allergen-safe bakery creating 100% gluten, dairy and soy free products. In addition, we offer many vegan specialties. Through listening to my customers, I learned that many people who cannot tolerate gluten also struggle with co-occurring food allergies, especially dairy, eggs and soy.  So, I upgraded my bakery to be 100% dairy and soy free

I also use as many organic ingredients as possible, and feature fresh local fruits as they come into season.  Customers seeking refined sugar free, low-glycemic, or no sugar added are also encouraged to shop with us, as we keep many sugar alternatives on-hand, and create custom orders based on their individual needs.

3.  What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

We adhere to the strictest safety standards, using ONLY certified gluten-free ingredients, including the often over-looked baking powders, sugars, and extracts.  I interview ingredient manufacturers prior to purchasing. If the manufacturer can’t guarantee the ingredient is gluten-free, then it doesn’t go in our bakery.

Even our gluten-tolerant staff members refrain from bringing potential contaminants into the facility via lunch bags and snacks. No sandwiches, no cereals, no pretzels allowed! :).  I keep careful logs of what we produce, how much we produce, and when we produce it, so we can follow recall safety standards if needed. We have complete control over who/what goes in and out of our doors. (To see Heather talk about this further, check out my video interview with her.)

4. Can you share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by your business?

I think the most satisfying part of the job comes when each mother trusts us with her child’s sensitive body.  It takes great faith and courage to hand that trust over to someone else. From the 4-year old child whose weekly highlight is our cookies, to the long distance cake order for a 3-year old, to a family’s favorite vacation memory, I’m reminded why I started Third Coast Bakery. One family in particular has made us a part of several family celebrations, from their daughter’s surprise engagement cake, to her wedding cake, to her baby shower!  The reviews on our Facebook page are also a great place to discover individual testimonies.

5.  What would you like consumers to know about your products and your business?

Our customers are the reason we exist. We bake with intentionality, mindfulness, and respect. And with a dollop of frosting on top, of course. Third Coast Bakery is in this for the long haul. And for special occassions. We make specialty cakes for birthdays and weddings, and other celebrations.

Aside from our storefront, you can also find our products in other local stores, such as Oryana, Olesen’s and nothern Michigan Tom’s Food Markets. In addition, many Traverse City area coffee shops sell our products. Find them all on the “Where to Buy” tab on our website. We also ship anywhere in the continental United States. Order thru the “Shop Online” tab on our website.

Third Coast Bakery Location, Hours and Contact Information

Third Coast Bakery
523 Munson Ave,
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 421-8696
Monday – Saturday 6:30 am – 4 pm
Sunday 8 am – 2 pm
Website / Facebook / Instagram  / Email

Third Coast Bakery is one of many great, dedicated gluten-free bakeries across the state of Michigan. Click this link for a comprehensive list of all the gluten-free bakers in Michigan as well as an interactive map so you can visit them yourself! Follow me on Facebook  and Instagram and for pictures and live videos too!

Originally Published March 2016

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